Diving and submarine apparatus.



No. 644,943. Patented Mar. 6, 1900.

6. PINO.

DIVING AND SUBMA-BINEAPPARATUS.

(Applicatiop. filed act. 29, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shevat l Fig.1

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No. 644,943. Patented Mar. 6, 1900. G. PINO.

DIVING AND SUBMABINE APPARATUS.

(Applicatioai filed Oct. 29, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sham 2 (No Model.)

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$200306 fihsq m: unams PETERS cu. PflOTCLLITHO. WASHINGTON. D c.

No. 644,943, Patented Mar. 6, I900.

G. PING.

DIVING AND SUBIHARINE APPARATUS.

(Application fiIed'Oct. 29, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Shani 3.

(No Model.)

lJNITED STATES PATENT T moron.

eiusnrrn PINO, or GENOA, ITALY.

DIVING AND SUBMARINE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,943, dated March 6,1900.

Application filed October 29, 1898. Serial No. 694,934. (No model.)

1'0 a whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GIUSEPPE PINO, engineeiga subject of the King ofItaly, and a resident of Genoa, Italy, have invented a certain newImprovement in Diving and Submarine Apparatus, (for which I- haveobtained a patent in Italydated June 6, 1898, No. 47,709,)

of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to diving and submarine apparatus; and it consistsin the construction and novel combination of the parts of the same, aswill be hereinafter fully described and claimed. v

The invention has for its object to enable one or more persons todescend beneath the surface of a body of water to a given depth, toremain there for a'given time, to pass from point to point in a desireddirection, and to work from within the interior of the apparatus bymeans of appropriate tools and devices for gathering andcollectingobjects for which the occupant or occupants of the apparatus are insearch.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a divingandsubmarine apparatus embodying improvements of my invention. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal sectional viewof the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectionalview taken at a right angle to the sectional view shown in Fig. 1. Fig.4 is a sectional detail View of the propelling apparatus for moving theapparatus from one point to an other while submerged. one of thebearing-plates and the crank and sleeve for operating one of the severaltools used in connection with submarine apparatus. Fig. 6 is a sectionaldetail view of one of the collecting-tools used in connection with thesubmarine apparatus, showing the tool in both the closed andopen'positions. Fig. is a detail view of the beveled gearing, toolguide,tool-shaft, and the hand-wheel for turning the tool-guide. Fig. 8 is adetail view of one of the tool-holders, showing the laterallyswingingframe provided'with the verticallyadjustable slide for elevating anddepressing the inner end of the tool-holder.

The upper part of the apparatus is provided I with a dome 1, by whichpersons are enabled to enter and the inlet-door 23 of which can beeasily opened or closed from the interior by means of suitablemechanism, comprising Fig. 5 is an inner face view of interior of theapparatus.

cated, into which, through the medium of a valve 38, the requisitequantity of water can be; introduced, which is required for ballastingthe'apparatus. V

The lower part of the apparatus is, moreover, externally provided with aballastingreceptacle 3, pierced with holes sufiiciently small to preventthe ballast from passing through, but so arranged that the water isenabled to freely circulate around the reservoir when the apparatusrests on the bottom and that the points 9 9, which touch the bottom,present but a very small surface in order that the equilibrium ofpressures around the apparatus be not disturbed, seeing that in thecontrary case the apparatus might run the risk of remaining engaged withthe bottom owing to vertical pressure on the apparatus.

In the upper part a circular metal jacket or cap is tightly securedaround the dome 1,- and between the outer surface of the apparatus andthe interior of the jacket or cap-a ring of wood or cork 23 is placed,the object of which is to mitigate any blows or concussions in case theapparatus should be struck upon the cap 23. The lower part of this ringis preferably fiat to impart to the apparatus a greater amount ofstability. Apart of the jacket or cap is hollow, and when the apparatusis submerged it fills with water, which enters through the holes in thering above referred to. In order to completely fill this space withwater, it is necessary that the air contained therein should be allowedto pass out by a cock which can be operated from the Upon the lower edgeof the jacket or cap protectional guards or repellers 24 are fixed,formed by bars of iron or othersuitable metal, which reach down to thebottom of the ballast-chamber while keeping a slight distance apart fromthe same. Instead of the said repellers starting from the lower edge ofthe cap or jacket they may also start directly from the dome and descendright serve as an outer support for the apparatus,

which is indispensable for carrying out the operations from inside, aswill be further on explained.

Around the dome rings 16 are placed, to

which chains or the like for towing the apparatus and in case of needfor lifting the same can be fastened.

Upon the surface of the apparatus holes are provided, which areprotected by strong crystals 43, through which the persons inclosed inthe apparatus can see outside the same. These crystals are protected bygratings 43, while powerful electric lamps 14L below said crystalsspread an intense light around the apparatus.

Suitable receptacles are suspended from the outside of the apparatus toreceive either objects collected under water or the operating-tools, aswill be hereinafter referred to.

Pressure-gages 19, communicating with the exterior, indicate to theoperators the depth at which they find themselves.

A cook 28, placed in the upper part of the dome, enables the supply ofair to be renewed when the apparatusis fioatingon the surface Withoutopening the inlet-door.

The driving and steering apparatus con-- sist-- (01) Of a devicearranged below the apparatus and serving to remove or shift the samewhen resting on the bottom. This device is actuated from the interior bymeans of gearing. It operates like a lever, lifts the apparatus andpropels the same or pushes the same back, according to requirements. Itis evident that this apparatus may, if required, be fitted with severalsimilar devices instead of one only, which then of course are arrangedin different directions, so that movements in different directions maybeimparted to the apparatus.

(b) Of a screw-propeller 39 for propelling the apparatus when beingunder water, but not resting on the ground, and of a verticalscrew-propeller 38 for the ascending or descending propulsion ormovement.

Two fans or blades 34: 34, arranged upon the two sides of the apparatus,serve as rudders or guides, the axes of these blades passing through thewalls. The said blades or rudders 3 1- 34 receive different inclinationsby means of a hand-crank adapted to slide upon a graduated guide toenable the degree of inclination being exactly fixed. It is evident thataccording to the inclination imparted to the blades or rudders 34 whileworking the screw-propellers an ascending or descending movement in aninclined direction or a movement of translation in a horizontaldirection can be obtained and that, on the other hand, by suitablyinclining the blades or rudders 34 34 a circular movement of theapparatus around its vertical axis can be obtained. The anchor oranchors 4, operated from the interior by means of suitably-adaptedwindlasses, serve to offer points of support to the apparatus and toenable the same when lowered to the ground to maintain itself at thedesired depth ever independently of the other devices before referredto.

The descent of the apparatus to the desired depth is obtained byadmitting into the wellroom 2, by means of a valve, the quantity ofwater necessary to overcome the buoyancy of the liquid in which theapparatus is immersed. lVhen the apparatus is-equipoised at the desireddepth by lowering the anchor to the ground, it will reascend to thewaterlevel and can be subsequently relowered to the desired depth byoperating the Windlass and winding up the chain.

To cause the apparatus to reascend, several means have been provided inthis invention independently of the vertical screw-propeller abovereferred to and of the movement of translation in a vertical directionby means of the anchor and of the ascending movement by means of thescrew-propeller combined with suitable inclined rudders. A bydrauliccompensation-pump with automatic-. ally-acting stop-valve is arrangedfor the discharge of water and compensation-valve of the pump, which isthus capable of expelling at different depths a given quantity of waterfrom the well-room 2. The ascending movement may be, moreover, effectedby discharging in case of need from the reservoir, the necessaryquantity of ballast, which latter operation is effected by openingtrap-doors 9 9, which by their arrangement have the advantage ofslightly lifting the apparatus off the ground, if required. A

Another means for reducing the weight'of the apparatus and for causingit to rise to the water-level consists in the provision of compressedair contained in a reservoir 20, placed in the interiorof the apparatus,and especially in'its upper part in order to occupy less space, andformed of a coiled metal tube. This reservoir 20 can be freely chargedfrom the interior by operating the valves 30 31, arranged in the spaceunder the cap or jacket, which, as has already been stated, is filledwith air when the apparatus is submerged. It is evident that as the air,(contained in the coiled pipe or other appropriate receiver providedwith a stop-valve,) which is at a pressure higher than that of the waterwhich surrounds the apparatus, escapes from the valve into theabove-mentioned space it will drive out the water contained in the sameand the apcapped receiver may for this purpose not only 1 be placed inthe upper part of the apparatus, but also at any point outside theapparatus, and may receive any appropriate shape, always providing thatit can be filled with water in asubmerged sphere and that it is soformed that as the compressed air enters it is enabled to drive out thewater and occupy the place of the latter.

The working apparatus consist of arms or armlets 36 36, of india rubberor other elastic material, and of devices hereinafter described. Thearms more especially serve for operations to be effected atcomparativelysmall depths. These arms or armlets 36 are tightly securedto the apparatus, and it is evident that as the operator passes his armsinto the armlets through corresponding holes provided in the wall of theapparatus he caneasily operate any'tool, such as tongs or pincers, axes,drills, and the like, and, speaking generally, any tool suitable forworking or seizing objects, placing them into receptacles adapted forthis purpose and for storage 'purposes.

\Vhen the outer pressure is greater than the powerthat can be executedby the operator placed in the interior of the apparatus or if otherwisethought fit, the work may also be executed by means of devices such ashereinafter described, and in order to prevent the outer pressureforcing the armlets inward and admitting water into the apparatus watergates or sluices have been provided, which hermetically close the holescorresponding to the armlets proper.

The working apparatus proper consists of a pipe J, of bronze or otherappropriate metal, which traverses a hole provided. for this purpose ina sphere A, which is held in position between the walls of the divingapparatus by means of flanges fixed by sorew-bolts,'the said flangesinclosing stuffing-boxes for the purpose of keeping them water-tight.This small sphere A enables the aforesaid pipe J to move in alldirections and always within a certain working radius. J thesphere A mayalso be traversed by a screw-spindle E or by any other device suitableto the apparatus in order to admit of its operating under differentdegrees of inclination. The serew-spindle E is operated through beveledgears F, G, &c., either by the handwheel 11 or through a shaft providedwith a bevcl-gear meshing with a bevel-gear on the Independently of thepipe end of ,the spindle E. Upon the front part of the pipe J the toolrequired for the work to be executed may be fixed by means of bolts orbolts and nuts in such a manner that on the same working apparatus alarge number of different tools may be fixed at the same time. In oneexample one j-aw C of a tongs has been provided on the said tube, whilethe other jaw D of the tongs is arranged on a rod I, contained in thesaid tube. This rod I terminates at its front part in screw-threads ofsuitable length, while screw-threads of corresponding pitch are providedin the sleeve of the second jaw D, which is adapted to slide in a grooveprovided for the aforesaid pipe in the same plane as the first jaw. Itis evident that on turning the rod within the tube about its axis the.jaw will advance or recede, according to the direction in which thesaid rod is operated. Instead of tongs or pincers being arranged on theworking apparatus scissors or shears, saws, and some other tool or toolsrequiring a reciprocating movement,also axes, spades, or the like, maybe provided thereon.

For the purpose of fishing corals, sponges,and,speakinggenerally,forcollecting objects, a spoon-shaped tool may beadapted to the working apparatus, consisting of two concentricsemispheres L M, adapted to close up and to form a ball when fitted tothe apparatus and when a semicircular movement around its axis isimparted tothe rod. In order to insure water-tight joints for theworking tool, stuffing-boxes are arranged, one of which is connected tothe sphere for keeping off the water around the tube, and the other tothe end of the rod for insuring a tight closure around the same. Inorder that the rod may be operated circularly to its axis, a gearingactuated by a hand-crank is provided, said working tool being thrustforward and moved back by means of a suitably-operated screw and gear,said screw being fixed to its front extremity and the gear on the otherextremity. This screw-threaded extremity Q traverses a support orbearing V, which is provided with internal screw-threads and workingwith a nut. Instead of the screw a rack or equivalent mechanism may alsobe employed. It is evident that by turning the gear by means of a crankto right or left the working apparatus will be driven forward or movedback. For the purpose of turning the tube and the whole apparatus withinthe sphere use is made of a suitable handle. Finally, in order to insureexactness of movement of the working apparatus and to overcome thefrictions caused by the great pressures due to the depth, use is made ofthe device which consists of two guides N N, between which slides acarriage adapted to be raised and lowered by means of a gearing devicePV, and in the center of which passes the pipe of the working apparatusor other equivalent means. Thus the exact movement in the verticaldirection of the apparatus is insured. To effect the move- ICC ment in ahorizontal direction, a suitable gear device R S is employed, which isoperated by .the movement of a hand-crank adapted to turn the systemabout pivots or other equivalent means.

It is evident that, owing to the combination of the two movements abovedescribed, the working apparatus can be turned into any desired positionallowed by the movement of the sphere. The whole system is soconstructed as to admit of being dismounted at will in order that theworking apparatus may be turned by hand if small pressures admit of suchoperation. In seizing an object either by means of the armlets or withthe working apparatus described it would without a fixed outer point beimpossible to collect the said object or to detach the same or toperform any working operation unless the apparatus be located near asubaquatic reef or rock increasing from its base or near some otherobstacle, since, in the contrary case, if the effort required weregreater than the power of inertia of the apparatus one would not bringthe object placed in the tool toward the apparatus, but the apparatuswould be drawn toward the object and the tool, and consequently all thework would be useless if the apparatus had not the bottom as its pointof support. This defect is avoided by means of the repellers abovereferred to.

Duplicate working apparatus may be provided to facilitate the working. Adouble Windlass, arranged on the exterior, is likewise a workingapparatus, capable of being operated from the interior, and around thedrum of which cables can be wound for lifting weights or forfacilitating the working in some way or other.

The apparatus is further provided with valves for the compensation ofthe pump 41, with a telephone apparatus, with steps or ladder 17 to thedome 1, with holes for charging the ballast, and with spaces forelectric accumulators and for dynamos.

I reserve the right of applying any such alterations to theconstructional details and to the arrangement of the constituent partsas may be found suitable in practice without thereby in any waydeparting from the spirit of the invention.

Having now fully described my said invention and the manner in whichsame is to be performed, I declare that what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus for effecting the descent and the propulsion underwater, of one or more persons, a repelling device 24 or analogous meansprovided around the apparatus and on its outside, so as to form pointsof support, adapted to execute the work from the interior toward theexterior, and a protectin g device for the apparatus itself.

2. In an apparatus for effecting the descent and the propulsion underwater, of one or more persons, a spherical jacket or cap 25 or an outerprotecting-cover for the apparatus, for the purpose above described.

3. In an apparatus for efiecting the descent and thepropulsion underwater of one or more persons, the arrangement of water-gates or sluices37, the object of which is to close the holes of the armlets 36, so asto prevent the latter from being forced inward when exposed, to highwater-pressures.

4. In an apparatus for effecting the descent and the propulsion underwater of one or more persons; the combination with the body of theapparatus, and the dome provided with the air-cock 28, of thecompressed-air reservoir- 20 provided with the valve 30 for charging thereservoir 20 with air from the exterior of the vessel when afloat, andthe valve for supplying air from the'reservoir to the interior of thebody, as set forth.

5. I11 a diving and submarine apparatus, the combination with the mainbody portion of the apparatus, of the dome 1 provided with .aninlet-door having a cork protecting-cover,

substantially as specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

G'IUSEPPE PINO. Vitnesses:

LUIGI LECCHR, E. N. DOLRITORICTO.

